Posted:16th Jan 2004Originally I was going to call this thread "Pointless Moves" but this isn't accurate as I guess learning any move improves your dexterity and opens up new possibilities.

But...This is just a list of moves that I think (and I don't think I'm alone) have no appeal to non-spinning on-lookers.This came about after I'd spent a while learning various moves, showed them to my mum or some other non-spinner only for them to go "It doens't look any different" or even worse "What? What are you doing different?"

Ultimately, as Poi and Staff are a "performance art" (or so the rumours go) are these worth learning? Half the time they don't feel nice or flow...

Some of the ones I've found this to be the case with are:

# 7 beat (upwards) Weaves - Especially with fire/lights i.e. in the dark when you can't see your arms

# Fish-tails - Don't look anything special to non-spinners

# Hyperloops & Airwraps - I (personally) think they are often go un-noticed by the casual observer and are a bit of a catch 22. If they're done perfectly they don't really show up, if done messily they look like a recovered tangle

Anyone got any others or want to shoot me down for damning their favourite move?

Posted:23rd Jan 2004If by "Pro" you mean someone who's NOT a professional then, yes... glow for show, socks for a pro.

Cuz I don't think you'd get as many gigs if you spun socks. And therefore wouldn't be able to support yourself by being a professional sock spinner. And therefore wouldn't be a pro.

Fire's way prettier. I mean have you ever just snuggled up with a loved one with hot cocoa and watched a large sock? Have you ever seen a croud gasp in disbelief as some guy drove his motorcycle through a hoop of socks? Ever have a girl at a bar pull out a cigarette, turn to you and ask for a sock?

and NYC, I've driven to Black Rock City quite a few Times, and many people have seen me spin my socks there, takes me a lot longer than 6 hours though, more like 48 ~ I live near london. But I guess you're right, my socks would have looked outta place during The Burn, man that was fun

Posted:29th Jan 2004i have glowing socks that i light on fire.on my feet. and then i do breakdance backspins.

BOOOOYAAAAAAA!!!!!!

-Such a price the gods exact for song: to become what we sing-Seek freedom and become captive of your desires. Seek discipline and find your liberty.-When the center of the storm does not move, you are in its path.

Posted:30th Jan 2004 okay i'm throwing a wrench in this thread. it's silly! i mean aside from setting your socks on fire. i know you veteran/ more intermediate guys are saying "BOTH" but, really, when it comes down to it, why even draw a line? i can only think of two moves that i know that i wouldn't perform with, because they are several technical techniques put together, like the 9-10 beat weaves. actually i could even see doing those, nevermind. (i just haven't, i have better stuff) audience not understanding hyperloops, in a show, they're just little circles, are you kiddin? please tell me you are. for fucks sake, if you fancy you are a performer, then you darn well better be creative enough to come up with an imaginative way to TEACH the audience how to understand! and i don't mean by saying, "look, the strings aren't tangling!" not that i doubt any of your abilities... here i am setting myself up for some competition, as an intermediate performer. giving away methods. come on guys, push me to work harder! cause as it is, i'm relaxing in the hot tub for a while and i heard those things make you sterile

your _job_ as a performer is to make the audience understand the technicality of your moves in a performance. don't just get up there and dance, have a message, a conversation! you should be able to dance your way into and out of any move in such a way that the audience gets it, you retain your performance continuity, and it looks flawless technically. no "move" is too technical if you set it up right. knows, hopes, you know this already and is just feeling a bit cocky... somebody slap me

-Such a price the gods exact for song: to become what we sing-Seek freedom and become captive of your desires. Seek discipline and find your liberty.-When the center of the storm does not move, you are in its path.

Posted:2nd Feb 2004nx? see that search button at the top? look up posts by me. oh and thanks for the spanking. confused though, underneath my sarcastic cocky posturing i thought there was a point that hadn't been made yet

-Such a price the gods exact for song: to become what we sing-Seek freedom and become captive of your desires. Seek discipline and find your liberty.-When the center of the storm does not move, you are in its path.